It's been a while

Yes, it is me the XC trail hound, who has been out of action for almost 2 months. Following a crash at Afan, caused by Andy, I have been recovering from a partial tear of my right shoulder rotator cuff. For those who know this is a very debilitating injury, I have only narrowly avoided surgery. The doctors have confirmed that I will be able to ride again but it was touch and go for a few minutes. Physio treatment is going well and my exercise regime has been paying dividends - I can now lift my arm. I have been back on the trusty Orange Sub 3, in my garage on the Cyclops indoor trainer; All Garage.

As some of you know I have set my sights on an Orange 5 Pro for next year a bit more travel but keeping it British. Check out the bike on www.orangebikes.co.uk. Afan has made me rethink my bike and also the fact that all my components seem to be failing one by one.

Finally worked out how to correctly fit my Hope Hed Doctor after snapping 2 nuts. I would thoroughly recommend it, once you know how to fit it correctly.

I have got my bike back together and this week could see me back on light trail duties - one step at a time.

XC Tom

Refusal on the edge

Mark Deliverance

Simon Log Jump 23 May

Andy fails to "clip" in

Andy Wheelies Deliverance 23 May

It Bally Well Smarts

Keep your weight back...

Too-high seat post + Bad Jumping Skills + Bad knee pads = Ouch!

Saturday's ride started off as a delightful sunny ride in the woods - cuckoos, sun-dappled glades and a bit of banter - leading to that sense of confidence and well-being which so often presages a drama... My new Trek's seat post is about 3-4 inches too high, and my jumping skills have never been Knievelesque, but with the doom-laden words 'that looks do-able, just need to keep the weight back', off I went. On the plus side, I managed to get over the handlebars fairly nimbly, it's just the landing and the bike hitting me that did the damage. Currently my knee and leg look like a melon, and walking is a bit tricky, so I don'y anticipate any riding for at least a week or two.
Too old to bounce, too stupid to know any better...

Tip number 2

Another tip for the blog

1st Tip

This is a tip - don't let Mark borrow your bike!